Fortnight of Guests 2012: Cat Clarke

It's a huge pleasure to have the amazing Cat Clarke here today for an interview.  I love her books and so it was awesome to be able to interview her!!  Anyway, enough about me, here's the interview... :D

Q&A With Cat Clarke

Hi Cat!  Could you please tell us a little about yourself and your incredible books?

Hi! Thanks so much for having me on your lovely blog! A bit about me: I mostly write about teenagers being vile to each other. My first two books, Torn and Entangled, were published in 2011, and my next book, Undone, is due to be published in February next year. I like cheese, sharks and wearing beanie hats.

Your debut novel, Entangled, came out in 2011 - how did you come up with the idea for the book?

I came up with the basic premise in an English Language A Level exam a looooooong time ago. The idea stayed with me for years but I was too lazy to actually get on and write it. The idea changed beyond recognition over the years, but that’s where it all began.

I cried many times while reading Entangled, and loved every second of it.  So I must ask: How, how, how do you make your writing so raw and emotional? 

Thank you! Making people cry is one of my very favourite things... sorry if that’s a bit weird. As for how I do it, I’m not entirely sure! I find the emotional stuff quite exhausting to write, to be honest. It’s definitely worth it in the end though.

Your newest book Torn came out early 2012 - what inspired you to write it?

Torn came about from an overheard conversation at work one day. I thought I heard the words ‘bus crash’, which got me thinking about something tragic happening on a school trip. A few days later that idea had evolved into something else entirely – without a bus crash!

Do you have set writing habits?  Do you need music, tea...?

Always tea. ALWAYS. And there *has* to be music. Sometimes I listen to the same song on repeat for days and days. As long as the mood of the track is right, I won’t get sick of it. I don’t really write at a set time or on set days – I just try to get on with it whenever I can. It’s a constant battle against the evil forces of procrastination!

When you start writing, do you have a specific plan or do you just go where the characters take you?

I didn’t plan Entangled or Torn. I was very lucky that I didn’t take any wrong turns, because that’s the danger when you’re flying by the seat of your pants. I’m currently planning a new book though – which is a new experience for me. I’m not sure which method will win out in the end.

Other than writing and reading, what else do you like doing?  

I like hanging out with my pets (two cats, one dog), cooking (today’s task is to master flatbread), going to gigs and watching DVD box sets.

You work in publishing - did that make the process to being published any easier or more difficult?  

It wasn’t necessarily easier or harder, but I think it meant I knew what to expect. I knew how the system worked, so I knew the timescales (publishing is S-L-O-W) and I knew that rejection was to be expected. It also meant that I had friends and colleagues I could talk to about it, which was definitely a good thing!

Random Question Time!

Did you ever have an imaginary friend as a child?  

Nope. This makes me feel sad.

If you read them, which dystopian novel do you find scariest?

The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Lois Lowry was writing dystopian before it was called dystopian. A terrifying book with an utterly brilliant ending. READ IT!

If you could live in any fantasy world ever created, where would you go?

I think I’d fit in very well in the Shire (Lord of the Rings). I could definitely get onboard with the whole ‘second breakfast’ idea. Hobbits are awesome.

Back To Sane Questions!

What is your favourite book of all time and why?  

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Perfect setting, perfect characterization, perfect EVERYTHING.

Have any authors really influenced you?

Christopher Pike and Laurie Halse Anderson.

Are you working on anything else right now?  If you are, could you please give us a teaser!

I’m in the middle of edits for Undone. It’s about revenge. The main character is called Jem, which happens to be the name of one of my cats (and a character in To Kill a Mockingbird!). The book that I’m planning right now is about a house party. Sorry for being cagey!





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http://www.catclarke.com/#
https://twitter.com/#!/cat_clarke  @cat_clarke


Thank you so much for taking part, Cat!  It's been great having you!  And I can't wait for Undone!!

Everyone, if you liked this post, make sure you follow all the FoG events on Twitter at #FortnightOfGuests

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Cat was born in Zambia and brought up in Edinburgh and Yorkshire, which has given her an accent that tends to confuse people. 
Cat has written non-fiction books about exciting things like cowboys, sharks and pirates, and now writes YA novels. She lives in Edinburgh with a couple of cats, Jem and Scout, who spend their days plotting to spit up furballs at the most inconvenient times. She likes cheese A LOT, especially baked camembert.

Question and Answer With Sufiya Ahmed

It's a huge pleasure to have Sufiya here today, author of Secrets of the Henna Girl, a book I can't wait to read!  Check out more about the book on Goodreads!  Thank you for stopping by, Sufiya, and I hope you all enjoy the interview as much as I have!

When did you realise that you wanted to be an author?

When I was about eight years old. I was a bookworm who loved Enid Blyton’s books, as well as Roald Dahl and many others. My favourite hobby was reading and I wanted to grow up to be the next Enid Blyton with her list of hundreds of books.

Of all your characters, who is your favourite?

My favourite character has to be Zeba’s maternal grandmother, Nannyma. She is someone who cares about justice and helping the vulnerable people around her. I think my heroine Zeba would have been quite lost without Nannyma.

Secrets of the Henna Girl is about forced marriages – how did you research for your book?

I worked in the House of Commons over a number of years for a Member of Parliament. It was there that I came across women who were speaking out against forced marriage because they had been through the experience. They were asking politicians for support so that future victims could be helped. They didn’t want other young girls to go through what they did.

I listened a lot, observed and then mixed it all up with my imagination.

A ridiculous question: If a Book Fairy appeared, and said you could be any character – ever – from any book, who would you be?

Oh so many characters I would want to be. Hmm, I think Darryl Rivers, the heroine of the Mallory Towers series probably wins. Midnight feasts galore!

Final question: What advice can you give to all the aspiring authors out there?

I would say make time to write a little every week, even if it’s just a few paragraphs. Show your work to friends and family and get their feedback. Most importantly, keep reading books by other authors.

Quick Fire Round:

Fantasy or real-life books? Real life

Pen&paper or computer? Pen and paper

Describe your main character, Zeba, in one word? Brave

Favourite book of all time? Children’s book? Oh so many , but probably ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton

Adult? ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khalid Husseini

Thank you so much for letting me interview you, Sufiya!  And everyone, I think you should check out Secrets of the Henna Girl: it looks amazing!  :D

Question And Answer With Samantha Rendle

Samantha Rendle, author of House of Vampires (AmazonUK, Barnes&Noble, Silverwood Publishing) is here for an interview today!  I haven't had time to finish the book yet, but from what I've read it's really good!  Check out more about the book on Goodreads!  Now I'm going to hand over to Sam, who will tell us a little about House of Vampires before the interview... 

House of Vampires is a book about vampires and other worlds, for younger and older audiences. The main character, Pete, finds a key to a mysterious world and must protect it from the vampires, who want to use the key to turn the world upside down. He joins the Hunters, a group of people who stand against the vampires, and hides the key, but soon the vampires come after a loved one and he's forced to face them.

When did you first realise that you wanted to be an author?

Probably primary school, when we had to write a story. I wrote about sky pirates and really enjoyed it. My teacher loved it and I wanted to write more.  I also remember having to rewrite the Jabberwocky poem with my own nonsense words. That was fun.

Now, you’ve put a whole new angle to the vampire mythology: what was the first aspect to pop into your mind?  Was it a twist, a character, a name?

I had Pete’s character already, and I’d tried him in a few different scenarios before making him a vampire. The key was the next idea after that, then Lilith. Again I rewrote a few times before House of Vampires properly formed.

Of all the characters you created, who is your favourite?

Well, Pete was wandering around in my mind for a long time before I settled him into a storyline. I knew what I wanted him to look and act like, and after spending a lot of time developing I’ve grown attached to him, so I’d say Pete’s my favourite character. I also like Will and Frank, though, and I have a favourite character in the new book but I won’t say more than that!

If House of Vampires were to be made into a film, who would you cast as your main characters?

That’s a good question. I think about that quite a lot, actually! My sister always says she’d star in it! Let’s see... I think Emily Browning would be pretty good as Annie, Alex Pettyfer can play Frank, Toby Regbo can play Pete and Juno Temple can play Lilith. Also my friend Calum wants to be an actor so I’ll be nice and give him a role. He can be Will.

Are you planning a series for the House of Vampires characters?  Or are you working on a whole new project (can you give us a hint!)?

I am planning a sequel; I’m actually pretty far through it, but I’m concentrating on another supernatural adventure at the moment. Hopefully that’ll be a series, too.  This one’s about magic, and for a similar audience to House of Vampires.

You’re only a teenager: what was the hardest part of getting your book written and out there for all to read?

Well SilverWood was local, and one of the first publishers I wrote to. I contacted Helen at SilverWood and she was very interested in the book, but asked if I should see an agent first. But I thought self publishing would be easier with my age and lack of writing experience, so I went with that. I was in sixth form at the time, and I’d say saving EMA to publish the book wasn’t all too easy.

Sticking to writing, do you have any particular writing habits?  Do you need a special pen, a strict schedule and plan, or do you just let the story develop whenever you get an idea?

I got a journal for Christmas, but at the moment I already have a journal for when I need to complain about something or just write personal things down, so I just use the new one for book ideas and developing stories, and keep it with my laptop for when I’m writing.

A seemingly easy question: What is your favourite book of all time?

Oh God, that’s not easy! I love Nicholas Sparks, so I’d say Safe Haven and The Notebook, but I’m also into the I Am Number Four series and Frankenstein. There are so many! I can’t choose. I’ll go with The Notebook because I’m soppy.

A ridiculous question: If a Book Fairy appeared, and said you could be any character or creature – ever – from any book, who would you be?

Either Elena Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries because she’s gorgeous and powerful and she has two Italian vampires drooling over her, or Saphira from the Eragon series because she’s a dragon.

Final question: What advice can you give to all the aspiring authors out there?

Never throw away paper you could use for notes, always keep a pen on you and don’t rule out self publishing just because you have to pay for it.


Thank you for stopping by, Sam!   It was lovely having you!

Question & Answer With Cliona @ Bookster Reviews

It is a huge pleasure to have Cliona here, from Bookster Reviews!  This is an amazing blog, one I always love to visit.  I hope you all like the interview and love Cliona's blog as much as I do!

Why did you become a blogger?  Was it something you’ve always wanted to do, or was it a more spontaneous decision?

Actually, I hadn’t really heard of blogging before I took it up! So yes, it was a spontaneous decision. I was actually on the Threads (by Sophia Bennett) website, and I found a link to a blog called The Mile Long Bookshelf. The blogs owner, Amber, had the same taste in books as me, and after reading TMLB for a few weeks until I decided to make my own blog! I actually had been looking for new book recommendations anyway around that time, so I was delighted to find this new book-related!

 

Do you have a favourite genre or theme?

I enjoy most genres. My favourites would be fantasy, like Harry Potter, Darren Shan, Percy Jackson, that kind of thing. I’ve actually begin reading The Chronicles of Narnia recently, which I’m enjoying too! I love how fantasy just let’s me escape to a whole different world, instead of boring old reality! I also like contemporary realism, and chick lit, just because they’re fun to read! Genres I wouldn’t like so much would probably be historical fiction, and sometimes paranormal. I know a lot of people really like historical books, and think it takes them to a different world, like fantasy does with me. But I find it a little…tedious. Of course, it depends on the author and the book, but in general, I’m not a big fan. And with paranormal, a lot of them can be fantastic, but I think since Twilight, there’s been too much of the same boy- meets girl-girl finds out boy is vampire/werewolf/etc.-girl and boy fall in love and so on!

Do you have a book or author that you always seem to go back to?  After you have a tough day or when you feel ill?

Well, it depends on my mood. Harry Potter, of course, would be one! They were the first books I really loved, so they’ll always be special to me. Darren Shan’s Demonata series or Saga of Darren Shan would also be books that make me feel better. Also, if I don’t feel like reading those, for some good chick lit, Cathy Hopkins’ Mates, Dates… or Cinnamon Girl series. And a great, not very well known favourite of mine, The Wedding Planner’s Daughter: Playing Cupid by Coleen Murtagh Paratore. It’s such a sweet, lovely book!

Now, I know you spend a lot of time reading, but what else do you do?

Well, of course, I love blogging and reading other blogs. Also, I love playing sport and cycling. Oh wait, cycling is a sport, isn’t it…J I like Irish Dancing, listening to music, watching movies, playing Mario Bros on the Wii and spending time with friends and family! 

How long have you been a hard-core reader?  Have you just seemed to have grown up with a book in your hand?  Or did a story change your mind about reading?

I’ve been a reader since I was about six. I remember I never read, and then my teacher told me it was World Book Day, and to read a book that day, and I was so inspired I went home and read six and a half books! Short ones, mind you, but that’s quite and achievement for a six year old, I think!

Let’s say you can go and live in any book – any book at all.  Which book would you choose and why?

This might seem like a typical answer-but Harry Potter! It just sounds like so much fun! Being able to do magic, and having exciting adventures, and studying exciting subjects in school, like Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts, not Maths and French!

Do you have any ‘pet peeves’ when it comes to writing?  A type of character that really winds you up?  A personality?

Eh… Well, I don’t really like it when descriptions are very long and there isn’t much conversation. I find that boring! Or if the story doesn’t have a good structure, and just rambles on.  I would just stop reading it then! If the main character is really needy and whingy, then that really turns me off the book too! I like strong, kind characters!

Which book would you most like to see be made into a movie?

Lord Loss by Darren Shan. One of my all-time favourite books. It’s a fantasy horror novel about a boy who’s parents and sister are killed by demons. He sees the demons but escapes before they can catch him. No-one believes him about the demons except his uncle, who he goes to live with. He finds out why his family was killed and some other sinister secrets about his family… It would be very gory though! One of Shan other novels, The Vampire’s Assistant has been turned it a movie, but that wasn’t great. I hope, if they ever make a movie out of this, that it is better than that was!

Be honest here – what are the worst and best parts of being a book blogger?  The highs and lows?

The worst…I’d say would be sometimes I feel bad that I don’t post a lot of reviews! And then I look at other blogs and they have so many posts and review on theirs and I feel bad, but I just don’t have enough time! The best bits are the nice comments and the followers! A nice comment can really make my day. And knowing that there are people I’ve never even met who like my blog and enjoy reading my reviews is brilliant! I don’t have a lot of followers compared to other blogs, but to me it’s more than I ever imagined I would have!

Thanks so much for interviewing me Megan! 

You are very welcome, Cliona!  It was a pleasure having you!  And I very much agree about going to Hogwarts!  Good luck with your future blogging, and I hope everyone enjoyed the interview!

Defiance Blog Tour: Character Interview

Before I hand over to Gena, I'd like to say how lovely it is to have her here today!  I'm hoping to start Defiance real soon, and my review should be up some time in November.  Now, here's G.C. Naffin, talking a little about her first book as well as an interview of the characters...

 

Defiance is my first success in the self-publishing world, though it came from a background of failures.  It evolved from a struggling story to the lengthy manuscript that's been self-published and has found fans all over the world.

There is love in Defiance, and although it does not take center stage, it does play a significant role in the decisions made by the three main characters. There is Vivian, princess to the kingdom of Iledora , her loyal and steadfast guard Revin, and Declan, a haunted mercenary of questionable motives. They are as different as three people could be stuck together while traveling the country and it’s their unique traits that bring out the best – and worst – of one another.

I was able to get Vivian, Revin, and Declan talking about their recent exploits, past, and future together.

What was it like traveling together?

Revin: It was interesting.

Declan: It was more than interesting, my friend.

Vivian (smiles): It was just like this.

Vivian, you had never met Declan before visiting the town of Hyrut . Did that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any way to have him as your guard?

Vivian: Declan was Revin’s suggestion. I trust Revin implacably, and so when he said he knew of someone who could take Nathanial’s place in our troop, I didn’t question his selection.

As a group so diverse, was it difficult to work together in the beginning?

Vivian: It certainly was. Declan and I didn’t get along very well to start off, and had it not been for Revin, we probably would have turned around very quickly.

Declan: Could have been worse.

Revin: I don’t think so.

Declan: We were that bad?

Revin (looks at me): Needless to say, there were many arguments.

Revin, you seem like the mediator.

Revin: Sometimes, yes. We all tried to keep the peace.

You traveled for several months. Was there any point when you felt desperate – like you should turn around?

Vivian: There were several moments when I felt the need to be home to fix some political things myself. However, I discovered I needed to trust in the people who took over things than worrying about what might happen if they weren’t straightened out. It was good to suffer through the moments of indecision – as much as it was crippling.

Declan (taps his chest): When she gets all panicked, it’s like having a heart attack – traveling with her is a nightmare.

Is being a royal guard in your line of work, Declan?

Vivian (interrupting): Line of work?

Declan: Trade, business.

Vivian (confused): You have one?

(Declan sneers)

Did you find it difficult?

Declan: Keeping her alive? Yeah. She’s royalty, but Vivian has a knack for seeking tight spots.

Revin: I can attest to that.

Describe how you felt after reaching the Bulvan emperor after months of traveling under your belt.

Declan: Relieved.

Vivian: Empowered.

Revin (shrugs): Exhausted.

Was there anything you would change?

Vivian: I would have traveled with much more haste. It would have made all the difference.

Look for Righteous, the second book of the Successor Series, out next year!

Find Gena:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/gcnaffin
Blog - http://gcnaffin.blogspot.com
Website - http://www.gcnaffin.webs.com
Goodreads -http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5031423.G_C_Naffin
Amazon - Defiance on Amazon
Barnes & Noble - Defiance at Barnes & Nobles

Previous Stop on Defiance Blog Tour: Earth's Book Nook

Next Stop on Defiance Blog Tour: Book Addict

For a full rundown of the Defiance Blog Tour

Question & Answer With Leonard D. Hilley II

Leonard D. Hilley II, creater of The Darkness series (Kindle, Nook) is here for an interview today!  As this is my favourite thriller series  (see all my reviews: here), I'm really happy to have him!   Before we start, Leonard would like me to mention that he is raising funds for the library at the school he used to go to, after a tornado.  So, now is the best time ever to buy his books - you get a suspense, thriller-packed read, and you raise money for a good cause!  For more information, go: here.

The world you created, with all the scientific advances and clones, shifters and other scary beings was just amazing.  Where did your inspiration come from? 

I have a wicked muse.  When she speaks, I am compelled to write down how she directs.  I find it all hard to believe myself.  This whole series spawned from the opening sentence of Predators of Darkness: Aftermath.  “Dropping a cat from the top of a ten story office building was not the best way to remain hidden, but it was necessary.”  This one sentence is where this all evolved. 

It was definitely a gift from the Netherworld.

You have also created so many brilliant characters, but which one is your favourite? 

Morton, the talking cat, is my dearest character and the hardest one to write.  He’s as stubborn as any cat can be.  He only speaks when he wants.  I cannot force him to talk.

If you had to describe The Darkness series in one sentence, what would you say? 

I can’t narrow it down that much.

You’re a self-published author, but when did you first realise that you wanted to be an author and what did you find was the hardest part? 

I’ve been writing stories since I was six years old.  I wrote my first novel at age 11.  I’ve always wanted to write for a living and knew that at an early age because I loved reading books.  Finally, I started writing books like I’d love to read.  I have a unique spin on things in my series, and I hope that freshness is what readers enjoy and hunger for more.

Now, I know many authors have strict writing-not-writing habits.  Do you have any specific habits and what do you like to do when you’re not writing?  

Currently, I’m writing every day, more than ever, too.  When I’m not writing, my mind is thinking about the storyline.  Last week, I kept waking up with the current novel and characters running through my mind.  This is good and refreshing.

Misleadingly simple-looking question: What’s your favourite book of all time? 

The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny.

Let’s say the events in Predators of Darkness: Aftermath actually happened, and the whole of the world was trapped scavenging for food and fighting off horrible shifter-beasts.  And, worse, you’re only allowed to take five books!  Which five books would you take? 

I’d take Mr. Murder and Watchers by Dean Koontz, The Great Book of Amber by Zelazny, The Mist and The Stand by Steven King.  Of course, there’d be no time to read since we have to kill shape-shifters.

Keeping with the make-believe theme, which fictional character/being would you most like to be, and which fictional world would you like to live in? 

Corwin of Amber

What’s next for you: any new books being planned?  If so, what genre and could you maybe, pretty-please, give us a quick sneak-peek? 

I’m currently revising my dark fantasy, Devils’ Den, and hope to see it out in late August.  Devils’ Den is a haunted, magical cave.  Justin McKnight is a teenage boy that receives a warning that his life is in danger through an artistic drawing he drew.  Elias Jackson is the face he sees in the drawing and who whispers that he’s coming to get him.  Elias has been in hibernation for the past twenty years, awakening for the final time to make his final sacrifice to gain immortality.  The connection between he and Justin in the picture is the link Elias believes destines the boy as his final sacrifice.  Instead, Justin enters the cave and is sealed off from the world and is suddenly trapped in the mystical Underworld, where he is safe from Elias, but he faces new, unexpected dangers as he tries to find his way back home.

I also hope to have Death’s Valley complete later this year.

And finally: do you have any advice for all the aspiring writers out there?  Keep writing and reading.  Never stop. 


Thank you for stopping by, Leonard!  Hope you all enjoyed the interview!